We met Temi Lopez a few days after the screening of the Teaser for “THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING”, a highly anticipated satyrical comedy, with stunning images and a superb cast, among which Tonia Sotiropoulou ( James Bond Girl), Emma de Caunes, RJ Mitte (“Breaking Bad »), Gil Alma and Judith Freiha . Temi wrote and directed this very timely « retro-futurist fable” whose hero is a « hacktivist » who comes to Paris to uncover a secret conspiracy.

AFTERSET : Temi, you just announced “Operation: Short Film », one of your workshops for actors and directors. What is it about?TEMI : I have already tried that kind of experience with success. Basically, instead on working on separate scenes from famous films, I propose an idea for a short film in which I incorporate characters that correspond to each participant… we analyze the roles and their motives, rehearse based on that situation, then write and define the dialogue as we progress… And we shoot it at the end, with always surprising and excellent results… This way everybody feels more engaged in every creative aspect of making a film… actors understand better what it goes into writing a character, and directors understand better what actors and other collaborators expect from them…AS: What do you think is the secret of “good directing” ?TEMI: In two words: Confidence. Trust. The confidence that a director inspires in his collaborators, actors and technicians… And the trust that a director allows his collaborators to place in him, or her… That’s the basis. Then, there is a lot of work, on many aspects… but if you have the trust, one can do it in a spirit of true collaboration, without tension, with the calm that is the best way to concentrate, explore, create …AS: Do you adhere to a particular method?TEMI: A director meets hundreds of actors with extremely different backgrounds. I think one of the main qualities of a good director is to understand, very quickly, instinctively, the personality and language of each actor. One needs to find the key into their natural inclination, whether he or she has studied « method acting », theater, or any other school. What matters is to bring the actor to be credible, authentic, « real » … Sometimes one finds it quickly, sometimes it takes longer, but, with work, one always finds that authenticity.AS: Can you tell us a bit more about the way you work?TEMI: Whether with experienced actors or beginners, I start by establishing a relaxed atmosphere. We are not in a competition to obtain immediate results, but in a situation in which I encourage imagination, and I invite propositions, suggestions from the actors… little by little , one takes out the affectations, the ticks, what rings false…once we reach a basis of naturalness, we can start to refine, add complexities, colors, subtleties, nuances…AS: What do you recommend to beginners?TEMI: To be patient, to listen, without anxiety, but with much attention… In my experience even actors who seem limited at the beginning , if you know how to guide them, always find the right voice, their own right tone… sometimes with thoroughly surprising results…AS: What do you say to young directors?TEMI: They should strive to create an atmosphere of collaboration. … they should know how to guide with gentleness, but with specificity… One must learn how to engage each actor, or technician, with the respect each deserves as an artist. A good actor is always a good psychologist. A good writer- director is also a psychologist, not just towards the characters he creates, but also with the people he or she works with. A good director knows how to create a family. And, as in every family, one needs to know how to approach each member, with heir virtues and their flaws…AS: At the end of the projection of the teaser for “The Theory of Everything » you insisted on introducing, not just the actors, but every one of the 40 technicians that worked with you. Which trigged an ovation, by the way…TEMI: First of all because that team in particular is extremely professional and nice to work with. Even better than some teams I worked with in bigger Hollywood movies. And also because in any case, on a set, every single technician becomes a precious partner.AS: We were impressed with the very beautiful, funny and enigmatic teaser of “THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING » If the ovation you received is an indication, the movie will be a huge hit. When can we see the whole thing?!TEMI: For that we need to wait a few months. We are still raising money to shoot the rest. We already have vey good basis , all we need now is… a few more partners, and a lot of paperwork…